Predictable Back-of-the-Book Author Photos

It's always a bit of a disappointment to finish a good book and find a hammy, predictable back-of-the-book author
photo beaming at you. With the exception of Herodotus, even the best literary demigods have gotten this treatment.
Fortunately for wordsmiths putting the final touches on
their masterpiece, Paul Hiebert of Flavor Wire has put together a humorous primer of how not
to take your picture. Here are five ways that authors
go horribly wrong with clichéd press photos:

1) The Sophisticated Photograph: You know, the one where the author stares off into the distance contemplating the mysteries of the universe.

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